Health MEC: Millions of Gauteng residents expected to contract COVID-19

Over half of Gauteng’s population is expected to contract the novel coronavirus, according to health MEC Bandile Masuku.

Gauteng is the hardest-hit province in the country, with 633 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death reported.

Gauteng MEC makes grim COVID-19 projection

Speaking to ENCA, Masuku said it’s difficult to give an accurate estimation, although he believes the majority will be infected by the virus.

“I would say that we are expecting around 60% of the community will be infected.”

Also the heaviest populated province in South Africa, Gauteng has an estimated population of around 15 million people, and Masuku is confident that the majority of those infected should only display mild symptoms and not require hospitalisation.

“Those who will require medical attention, particularly hi-care, the figure we are working on is around 5%.”

The number of confirmed infected persons in South Africa climbed to 1 462 on Thursday.

The Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng had a combined 65 out of the 82 new cases reported on the day, with 27, 20 and 18 additional infections respectively.

Quarantine sites identified in Gauteng

The Gauteng Health Department revealed on Friday that it is looking at possible quarantine facilities, with the Nasrec Expo Centre among the sites being considered.

The building is South Africa’s largest purpose-built conference centre and can house up to 100 000 people.

“[The Gauteng Department of Health] is looking at various facilities for the purposes of quarantine for COVID-19 cases. Nasrec is one of those being considered,” said health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana. 

Also in the Gauteng, a clinic in KwaDuduza had to be closed after a nurse tested positive for COVID-19.

Ekurhuleni executive mayor Mzwandile Masina said the nurse had attended the Divine Restoration Ministries church service in Bloemfontein, which had five overseas visitors infected with the virus.

 “It would have been better for her, especially after seeing TV reports, to self-isolate at that particular time,” Masina added. “We have taken extra measures that the facility be closed. It’s going to be sanitised and the staff have been asked to self-isolate at home.”